Breast cancer health centre

10 mammogram myths and facts

Fear, anxiety and embarrassment are the main reasons women give for not going to breast screening appointments.

But don't ignore that invitation for screening before you get the truth behind these myths and facts about breast screening.

1. Breast cancer doesn't run in my family, so I don't need to go.

If breast cancer runs in your family, you're more likely to get it, especially if your sister or mum had it. However, more than 85% of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Regular breast screening is estimated to help prevent around 1,300 deaths a year. Around a third of breast cancers are diagnosed by breast screening.

2. I'm too young.

Breast cancer is most common in women over 50, but it can still affect younger women. NHS screening usually starts at 50 (and is being extended to include women from the age of 47), but women at greater risk of developing breast cancer may be advised to be checked earlier.

3. Exposure to X-ray radiation from screening is a concern.

The amount of radiation a woman is exposed to by having a mammogram is close to the annual average natural exposure to background radiation for some parts of the UK, but double the amount for other areas. The NHS says the benefits of breast cancer detection through screening outweigh the radiation risk.

4. I'm afraid of what they might find.

Don't jump to conclusions. Most women get the all clear after breast screening. 1 in 20 will be called back for additional tests. Being called back isn’t the same as a cancer diagnosis, it could just mean the original mammogram wasn't clear. Around 1 in 6 women who are called back for additional assessment will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

5. It's too painful.

Mammograms don't take long and discomfort is short. Compression of the breast is needed to get a clear image and may be painful. Research has shown that women who get good information about the test experience less pain.

6. I don't have any lumps.

Being breast aware and looking out for changes to your breasts is a key part of detecting breast cancer early. However, mammograms can find small tumours in early stage breast cancer before you can feel them, meaning treatment can start far sooner.

7. I'm too busy.

Make the time. Mammograms only take 15-30 minutes, and mobile NHS screening units may even come close to where you work or live.

8. My breasts are too dense.

Mammograms may be less helpful in finding cancer in dense breasts, but they're not useless. If your mammogram isn't readable because you have dense breasts, you may get a second check with an ultrasound or MRI.

9. I eat well and I exercise regularly, so I'm not at risk.

Keep up the good work as there's evidence that a healthy diet and taking regular exercise can help ward off some cancers. However, still get tested. A healthy lifestyle may lower your risk of getting breast cancer, but it doesn't eliminate it.

10. I've heard breast screening can make mistakes.

In some cases, mammograms can produce what are called false negative results, where the all clear is given when cancer is present. False positive results are also possible, where a woman is told breast cancer is present, but further tests find no cancer.